COVID-19 Vaccine Distribution

Dear Neighbor,

COVID-19 vaccines have arrived in NYS, including in our area to St. John’s at Riverside Hospital in Yonkers.

We need 75-80% of the State’s population to take the vaccine to stop the spread of COVID-19. I will be taking the vaccine as soon as the opportunity arises, and I encourage everyone to do the same.

Pfizer’s COVID-19 vaccine has been approved by the FDA, and the NYS Clinical Advisory Task Force approved the FDA’s decision to go forward with the vaccine. The vaccine consists of two shots with three weeks of space in between them. The vaccine will go first to nursing home staff and residents and high-risk health care workers.

 Sandra Lindsay, an heroic ICU Nurse at Long Island Jewish Medical  Center was the first person in the State to take the vaccine

Next, to all healthcare workers and EMS. Then, essential workers and the general population, starting with those who have the highest risk. The State has set up 90 regional distribution centers capable of cold storage.

I must stress, we continue to see rising cases of COVID-19 deaths and hospitalizations. This is why it is critical we take steps to help stop the spread. Please avoid travel and keep your holiday gatherings to your intimate household. Even following the rule of 10 or less, may not be safe if your family gatherings include those who have traveled to your home.

We need everyone to practice compliance and social responsibility to slow the spread and help our hospitals. Please stay safe and healthy, and as always, please feel free to email me at scousins@nysenate.gov or call my office at (914) 423-4031, if you have any questions or issues of concern.

Until next time,

Andrea Stewart-Cousins
New York State Senator, District 35
President Pro Tem, Majority Leader

COVID-19 Testing

The State has many free testing sites. To find a testing site near you, please click here or book an appointment through the COVID-19 hotline at 888-364-3065. Additionally, antibody tests are available through Westchester Medical Center, click here.

Indoor Dining

Indoor dining has been closed in New York City because COVID-19 hospital rates are increasing, but outdoor dining, take-out, and delivery can continue. Here in Westchester, indoor dining capacity is at no more than 50%. However, this could go to 25% capacity if infection rates increase. The State continues to watch the data and is calling on the federal government to provide needed relief to restaurants and bars impacted.

Hospital Capacity

The State Department of Health has ordered hospitals to increase capacity up to 25% and must have a 90-day supply of PPE. Public and private hospital systems will share responsibility and transfer patients between systems, only if absolutely necessary. The State receives updates on hospital capacity every day, and hospital capacity is the new data point when it comes to determining orange and red zones.

If you are a retired nurse or doctor and can return to service, the State will automatically renew registrations without cost. We hope to have about 20,000 doctors and nurses with this effort. To volunteer, please click here.

Gyms and Salons

Gyms and salons will be able to remain open in Orange Zones with reduced capacity (25%) and weekly COVID-19 testing for salon staff.

New York National Guard

We applaud our New York National Guard on being selected by the Department of Defense as one of 16 pilot programs across the nation to be part of the limited distribution of the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine to military personnel. 

Senior Recognized For Helping During the Pandemic

Yonkers resident Dr. Rosemary Uzzo was nominated by Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins to be inducted into the Westchester County Senior Hall of Fame. The prestigious honor recognizes seniors who have gone above and beyond to improve the quality of life in our communities. Dr. Uzzo spent hours reaching out to contacts in China to obtain 16,000 masks for New York. She donated some to Saint Joseph’s Medical Center in Yonkers, the Yonkers Police Department, and to residents in need throughout Westchester County.

Recognizing Our Small Businesses

Our small businesses are struggling during this pandemic. Help me highlight some of their tremendous work by nominating a deserving business in our District for the NYS Senate Empire Award, which recognizes businesses giving back to our community. To nominate a business, visit: https://forms.gle/NnAc9i7JgiYui7YXA. You can also email me at scousins@nysenate.gov or call my office at (914) 423-4031.

Sponsoring Christmas Toy Giveaway

Many families are struggling financially, and we want to make sure the holidays can be a bit easier for them. Thank you to the YWCA in Yonkers for working with my office to host a Toy Giveaway on Saturday.